Strategies & Information:

Maintain up to date knowledge of trends in fitness and safety practices.

Obtain necessary certification in addition to CPR certification.

Develop computer skills and familiarity with technology used in the field.

Maintain excellent personal fitness and athletic proficiency.

Volunteer at a gym or fitness facility to gain familiarity with methods of fitness instruction.

Remain calm under pressure and maintain a positive, outgoing personality.

Develop excellent interpersonal skills for working with clients, coaches, and team physicians.

Volunteer to work with college or high school sport teams or lead exercise programs for local, nonprofit organizations.

Area:

Athletic Training

Sub-Area:

Performance Enhancement/Management

Strength & Conditioning Coaching

Biomechanics

Consultation

Employers:

High schools

Colleges and universities

Health clinics

Sports medicine clinics

Fitness centers

Retirement centers

Nursing homes

Resorts

Cruise lines

Community centers

Rehabilitation centers

Healthcare programs: Clinical, Industrial, Corporate

Professional sports teams

Private sports organizations

Sports facilities

Individual athletes

Private or group practice

Strategies & Information:

Certified Athletic Trainers must earn a degree from an accredited institution. 70% of Athletic Trainers hold a master's degree or higher. Obtain certification through the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

Athletic training is not the same as personal training.

Develop communication and decision making skills and the ability to work well under pressure.

Demonstrate ability to establish close and trusting relationships with others.

Be willing to work long and irregular hours and travel with sport teams.

Build your reputation in smaller programs to move up.

Obtain an internship or part-time job with a sports team, athletic organization, or fitness facility.

Join fitness oriented associations and organizations.

Volunteer to work with college or high school sports teams, or to run exercise programs for non-profit organizations.

Area:

Physical Therapy

Sub-Area:

Clinical Practice:

Acute care

Neuro-rehab

Out-patient

Management

Education

Research

Consultation

Specialties Include:

Pediatrics

Geriatrics

Sports Medicine

Orthopedics

Neurology

Cardiopulmonary

Employers:

Hospitals

Clinics

Home healthcare agencies

Nursing homes

Sports medicine facilities

Rehabilitation centers

Doctors' offices, particularly orthopedic

Schools

Health clubs and fitness centers

Group or private practices

Universities and colleges

Federal and state government:

Armed Forces

Public Health Service

Veterans Administration

Strategies & Information:

Obtain knowledge of several basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics.

Attain superior grades in pre-physical therapy course work due to intense competition for admittance to physical therapy programs.

Volunteer for a physical therapist in a hospital or clinic to gain experience and improve chances of acceptance into a program.

Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Must possess patience and a desire to help individuals of all ages with disabilities. A positive attitude is important when working with patients.

Manual dexterity and physical stamina are important in succeeding in physical therapy work.

Earn a master's degree or doctorate in physical therapy from a program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.

All states require licensure which includes passing an examination.

Obtain a doctoral degree for teaching and research positions.

Some physical therapists specialize in an area after gaining several years of general experience.

Area:

Occupational Therapy

Sub-Area:

Screening

Evaluation

Treatment:

Physical

Psychosocial

Social

Vocational

Follow-up

Administration

Teaching

Research

Employers:

Hospitals (including psychiatric and rehabilitative)

Schools

Group or private practice

Nursing homes

Community mental health centers

Adult daycare programs

Job training centers

Residential care providers

Out-patient rehabilitation facilities

Home healthcare agencies

Federal and state government:

Armed Forces

Public Health Service

Veterans Administration

Universities and colleges

Strategies & Information:

Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.

Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.

Volunteer in an occupational therapy or related healthcare setting to experience the field firsthand and improve chances of program admittance.

Individuals working in occupational therapy should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.

Learn to work well within a team. O.T.'s work with many other professionals in the rehabilitation of patients.

Earn a master's (MOT, MA, MS) or doctoral (OTD, less common) degree in occupational therapy to gain entry in the field.

Doctoral degree is often preferred for university teaching and administrative positions.

All states regulate O.T. licensure. Requirements include passing a certification exam given by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board and a supervised clinical internship. Those who have passed the exam become Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR).

Occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability.

Area:

Education

Sub-Area:

Research

Teaching

Assessment & Evaluation

Program Development

Employers:

Colleges and universities

Athletic associations

Research facilities

Strategies & Information:

Develop strong computer, mathematics, science and both written and oral communication skills.

Obtain teaching or instructional experience through volunteering or internships.

Seek opportunities to join faculty in research projects to gain experience.

Join related student and professional organizations.

Acquire a master's degree for community college teaching and a Ph.D. for colleges and universities.

Area:

Business

Sub-Area:

Product Development

Program Development

Biomechanics

Sales:

Pharmaceutical

Healthcare

Sport & Fitness

Employers:

Sporting goods manufacturers

Exercise equipment manufacturers

Sports facilities

Health clubs and fitness centers

Pharmaceutical companies

Hospitals

Clinical and corporate healthcare programs

Strategies & Information:

Develop outstanding communication skills, written and oral.

Take additional courses in marketing, advertising, and public relations.

Gain experience with public speaking and sales.

Obtain a part-time job or internship in the areas of wholesaling or retail.

Build relationships with coaches, athletic directors, and college equipment/uniform representatives.

Consider working with manufacturers of exercise equipment or nutritional supplements to learn more about the field and make contacts.

Strategies & Information:

Join related professional and student organizations and seek leadership roles.

Find internship and research opportunities with professors and other experts in the field to gain experience.

Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions.

Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong recommendations for graduate or professional schools.

Look at entrance requirements for desired institutions.

Be aware of any standardized test requirements, minimum grade point averages, and prerequisites.

After earning an undergraduate degree, the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) requires 4 years of medical school, followed by 3-8 years of internship and residency depending on specialization chosen.

General Information and Strategies

There are many different ways to work within the health and fitness industry. Identify a particular area of interest and then seek to gain the best combination of educational preparation, experience, and skills because requirements will vary by field.

Most careers in these fields require professional certification. Though many entry-level positions may be obtained with an undergraduate degree, most will require additional clinical experiences and a graduate or professional degree.

Given the growing number of aging adults, many positions available in these areas will involve working with the elderly.

Join professional associations. Read their publications and attend their meetings, seminars, and conventions to learn more about the field and make contacts.

Get involved with local sport teams, intramurals, or recreational programs and facilities. Seek leadership roles, manage equipment and facilities, or plan events.

Look for jobs in the minor leagues as a way to enter the sport industry.

Fitness communication is also a growing field offering opportunities to write, research, and report on health and fitness related topics for newspapers, magazines, and websites. If interested in this area, take supplemental course work in English, journalism or broadcasting and seek opportunities to volunteer with local or campus newspapers or television/radio stations.

Earn a graduate or professional degree for increased opportunities.

Maintain excellent personal fitness and athletic proficiency.

Learn to relate well to people with varying personalities and backgrounds.

An undergraduate degree in exercise science offers excellent preparation and meets many pre-requisites for a variety of pre-professional programs in the field of healthcare. Meet with a pre-health advisor to identify any additional prerequisites for entry into a particular graduate school.